London Stone
The London Stone is a historic stone that is now set within a Portland stone surround and iron grille on Cannon Street, in the City of London.
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[edit] Features
The London Stone is a block of oolitic limestone and measures approximately 53 x 43 x 30 cm (21 x 17 x 12 inches).[1] This material does not occur naturally in London, its nearest source being in Kent. It is thought to have originally been much larger, and (traditionally) to have been a Roman milestone, or possibly a Druidic altar. It is also said to be the milliarium, marking the central spot from which all distances were measured in Roman Britain. (The stone is very close to the center of the east-west diameter of the City of London, as defined by the Roman walls.)
[edit] History
The Stone sometimes called the Stone of Brutus, referring to legendary Trojan founder of London in around 1,000 BC.[2] Popular legends include the stone being the remains of an ancient stone circle that is alleged to have stood on Ludgate Hill and even the stone from which King Arthur withdrew the legendary "Sword in the Stone".[3]
The earliest written reference to the London Stone is in a book belonging to Æthelstan, King of the West Saxons in the early 10th century. In the list of lands and rents of Christ Church, Canterbury, some places are said to be "near unto London stone". It was already a landmark in 1198 when it was referred to on maps as Lonenstane or Londenstane. The first mayor of London was Henry Fitz-Ailwin de Londonestone (meaning 'Henry, son of Ailwin of London Stone'), who served the city some time between 1189 and 1193, and was described as "the draper of London Stone". However, the appellation may also refer to the large stone house he built, at a time when most houses in the City were of wood—the mere mention of its uncommon material being sufficient to distinguish it, and him. Similarly, it may denote only that the stone house was constructed in close proximity to an already ancient London Stone.
Walter George Bell (writing in 1920), noted that "some years ago," members of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society were present when the Stone's casing was removed. "It then proved to be a piece of oolitic building stone." Bell notes that "there is not the smallest rag of evidence associating it with Londinium," and that it may well be a section of the foundation of Henry Fitz-Ailwin's stone house which remained after the rest of the house was gone, and which was honored for its association with London's first mayor and with independent self-government for the City. London Stone would in that case date from the late 12th century, which accords with mentions of it in surviving records.[4]
The London Stone was for many hundreds of years recognised as the symbolic authority and heart of the City of London. It was the place where deals were forged and oaths were sworn. It was also the point from which official proclamations were made. Jack Cade, popular leader of those who rebelled against Henry VI in 1450, observed the tradition by striking his sword against it as a symbol of sovereignty after his forces entered London; on striking the stone, he then felt emboldened to declare himself "Lord of the City". This event was dramatised in William Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 2 (Act 4, Scene 6) -- except that, in the play, the sword became a staff.
[edit] Location
The Stone was originally situated in the middle of Cannon Street and was much larger than it is now. It is shown on the 1550s copperplate map of London, as a large block of stone in Candlewick Street (now Cannon Street) outside St Swithin's Church. The church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, and rebuilt by Christopher Wren, who encased the old stone in a larger protective carved stone. By 1742, the stone had become an obstruction to traffic, and was moved from the south side of Cannon Street to the north side. For similar reasons, it was moved again in 1798, and by 1828 was set into the south wall of St Swithin's Church, on the north side of Cannon Street. The church was bombed during the Second World War, but the Stone was left unscathed.
The stone was moved and put on display opposite Cannon Street station in 1962, although rather inconspicuously situated. The stone and box, with iron grille, were designated a Grade II* listed structure on 5 June 1972.[5] A decorative grille to protect the stone had been provided by the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society in 1869; it is clear from old photographs that the present grille is not the original, but a version made in similar style in 1962. There are current proposals to move the stone further down Cannon Street to allow the building into which it is built to be redeveloped.
Like the Ravens of the Tower of London, there is a myth that states the Stone's safety is linked to that of the city itself; "So long as the stone of Brutus is safe, so long shall London flourish". This relates to the myth that the stone was part of an altar built by Brutus of Troy, the legendary founder of London.
The nearest London Underground and National Rail station is Cannon Street — the station's main entrance is opposite the Stone on Cannon Street. There is also a pub nearby called "The London Stone".
[edit] Use
There is a record that in 1671 "two and twenty dozen [= 264] of English spectacles, all very badd both in the glasse and frames not fitt to be put on sale were found badd and deceitful and by judgement of the Court condemned to be broken, defaced and spoyled both glasse and frame the which judgement was executed accordingly in Canning Street on the remayning parte of London Stone where the same were with a hammer broken in all pieces.".[6] Habitual use of the London Stone as an anvil to destroy seized goods would have gradually worn the stone down.
[edit] In fiction
The London Stone is a prominent setting in Charlie Fletcher's children's book about "unLondon", Stoneheart. It also features in The Midnight Mayor, Kate Griffin's second Matthew Swift novel about urban magic in London.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2009) |
- ^ http://www.planning.cityoflondon.gov.uk:90/WAM/doc/Accompanying%20report-193556.pdf?extension=.pdf&wmTransparency=0&id=193556&wmLocation=0&location=livevolume1&contentType=application%2Fpdf&wmName=&pageCount=15
- ^ Chu, Henry (2010-09-03). "London Stone shrouded in mystery and myths". latimes.com. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-london-stone-20100904,0,5708655.story. Retrieved 2010-09-12.
- ^ BBC H2G2 The London Stone
- ^ Walter George Bell, Unknown London (London: John Lane, 1920), pp. 128-39.
- ^ Details from listed building database (199345) . Images of England. English Heritage. accessed 24 January 2009
- ^ http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/classic/A791101 The London Stone, text search for "Other Royal Connections".
